Egypt’s U-23 team was held to a disappointing goalless draw by Niger in the ongoing U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Sunday.
Despite dominating possession, the Pharaohs were unable to convert their dominance into goals due to their lack of cutting edge and bad luck.
They hit the bar and the woodwork five times during the 90 minutes and had to share the spoils with minnows Niger.
In the 30th minute, skipper Ibrahim Adel’s header hit the bar before his shot from inside the area was stopped by the woodwork just before the break.
He sent another powerful shot five minutes later, but his effort hit the bar.
Striker Ossama Faysal tried his luck in the 68th minute, but his glancing header was also denied by the crossbar.
Substitute forward Mostafa Saad’s curling shot hit the bar, preventing the Pharaohs from taking a deserved lead.
Niger came close to punishing the Egyptian side, with their striker finding himself unmarked inside the Egyptian area, but his effort hit the side net.
Defending champions Egypt was drawn in Group B alongside Niger, Gabon, and Mali. They will face Mali on Wednesday before taking on Gabon, three days later.
Gabon and Mali faced off later on Sunday in the other match of the group.
Group A includes hosts Morocco, Ghana, Guinea, and Congo.
The first three teams in the continental competition will represent Africa in next year’s Olympic Games in Paris.
-Ahram
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